Animal-rights Activists Show Graphic Videos On Tests

February 21, 1985|by CHUCK AYERS, The Morning Call

Questions surrounding the validity of tests on baboons and the "inhumane" treatment of the animals at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School in Philadelphia were graphically depicted in a videotape presentation last night in Hilltown Township.

Approximately 40 animal-rights activists representing groups from the Lehigh Valley, Silverdale, Philadelphia and Hazleton viewed a half-hour, edited version of the tapes stolen last summer from the head injury experimentation laboratory at the school.

In the basement of the R&S Restaurant, Gary Francione, an assistant professor of law at the University of Pennsylvania Law School, said the film unquestionably shows that the experiments conducted by Dr. Thomas Gennarelli were not valid and in violation of the Animal Welfare Act.

The experiments, Francione said, have been conducted for the last 13 years at a taxpayers' cost of $13 million and "nothing Gennarelli has done has resulted in any practical knowledge for treatment of head injury."

As seen in the videotape, recorded by the school and subsequently taken from the lab by a group calling itself the Animal Liberation Front, the baboons are restrained with their head cemented in a metal helmet and a sudden force of up to 1,000 times that of gravity is applied.

The animal's head is struck, or in the parlance of lab workers, "banged," to cause brain damage. The stated purpose of the experimentation is to simulate auto crash, football, boxing and other types of head injuries.

The animals are supposed to be sedated and capable of experiencing no pain. The videotape shows otherwise, however, as can be seen when the animals struggle with restraints or persist in rolling over into a position unsuitable for the shock.

In addition, comments by researchers throughout the tape indicate they are aware the animal is conscious and, in several instances, feeling pain.

Francione said as a result of the tape and a more receptive attitude on the part of legislators in Washington, D.C., animal rights activists have a chance to shut down the experiments in Philadelphia.

He called the attempt to shut down the lab, successful or not, a turning point for the animal rights crusade.

"There is stuff going on that is as bad or worse than what's going on here," Francione told the group. "But here we have the documentation. We've got this guy with his pants down, now lets get him."

According to unofficial information Francione said he received from the National Institue of Health in Bethesda, Md., however, it seems likely the lab will be funded again next year.

But he encouraged those present to fight the move by writing Health and Human Services director Margaret Heckler, congressional representatives, NIH and the University of Pennsylvania, among others, to advise against funding.

He said a legal remedy to the testing at the school is unlikely because animals have no standing. "In America animals do not have standing and no one else can go into the courts for them."

In addition, he said, "many judges are not willing to be liberal or creative when it comes to animal issues."

But there is a changing attitude in Washington, he said, which is being brought about in part by the many letters sent to representatives.

"Next to social security, the largest single issue in terms of volume of mail is animal issues," Francione said. "10 years ago when you wrote them a letter, they said, 'Hah, another nut.' "

The validity of the experiments is questionable, Francione said, because of the number of variables introduced.

"Every vet, scientist, doctor -c people hostile to my position by that uncontrollable variable."

The uncontrollable variables, he said, are several. The metal cap worn by the baboons are shown on the tape to sometimes be removed by striking it with a hammer. This, Francione said, effects the test results.

Also, the animals can be seen in various positions when getting banged, which Francione says causes different and un-quantifiable results for research purposes.